Clonogenic assay of gastric adenocarcinoma stem cells--clonogenic assay, stomach cancer

Clonogenic assay is the culturing of tumor stem cells, which are responsible for tumor growth by self renewal and differentiation to tumor end cells. Elimination of the malignant stem cells or their self renewal will lead cure of the tumor. Thus, the behavior of the stem cells by clonogenic assay has been correlated with prognosis and outcome of therapy.

We studied clonogenic assay by means of double agar system for 21 patients with advanced stomach cancer. The colony formation evaluted on 14th day of the culture was grown from 14 of 19 malignant effusions plated and 1 of 2 tumor nodules plated. The number of the colonies ranged from 5 to 96 per petri dish, and the median number was 20. The plating efficiency ranged from 0.001 to 0.036%, and the median was 0.003%. In the morphologic studies, the colonies made of tightly packed cells were grown from the poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, whereas the colonies made of loosely packed cells with mucin formation were grown from the mucin secreting adenocarcinoma of stomach. The chemosensitivity in vitro tests to cisplatin were performed in 5 patients, and the results showed 4 sensitive and 1 resistant patient. The result of in vivo study with instillation of intraperitoneal cisplatin revealed that 3 patients “in vitro sensitive” were “responsive in vivo”, and 1 patient “in vitro resistant” was “non-responsive in vivo”.

We conclude that clonogenic assay of stomach cancer is useful method to understand the biology of the stem cell pool and select proper chemotherapy according to the chemosensitivity test.

Pure signet ring cell type early gastric carcinoma with extensive lymph node metastases--a case report

A 42-year old man was admitted with indigestion and left upper quadrant pain. A gastrofiberscopic examination revealed a depressed, discolored lesion (1.5 × 1.5 cm) with converging irregular radiating folds in the antral portion, suggestive of early gastric cancer (type IIc). Histologically, signet ring cell carcinoma was seen. A subtotal gastrectomy was performed and the opeartive findings showed a shallow depression in the anterior wall of the greater curvature side in the antrum and multiple perigastric lymph node enlargment. On microscopic examination, the authors observed pure signet ring cell carcinoma confined to the mucosa but with widespread lymph node metastases.

Adjuvant treatment of operable stomach cancer with polyadenylic.polyuridylic acid in addition to chemotherapeutic agents. Differential effect on natural killer cell and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity

Peripheral blood lymphocytes of operable stomach cancer patients were evaluated sequentially for their natural killer (NK) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activities before and after chemotherapy in association with polyadenylic.polyuridylic acid [poly(A).poly(U)]. Their cytotoxicity was measured by 4 h-chromium release assays, using human K562 and sensitized murine L1210 cells as targets for assays of NK and ADCC respectively. The mean NK cytotoxicity of 89 patients before treatment was significantly lower than that of the 18 sex- and age-matched healthy controls, whereas assays of ADCC showed similar levels of cytotoxicity in both groups. Patients who had received postoperative chemotherapy (5 fluorouracil, 12 mg/kg and adriamycin, 40 mg/M2) once, had, 5 days after injection, NK cytotoxicity levels similar to those before treatment. For these patients, an additional administration of poly(A).poly(U) (100 mg) resulted, 2 days later, in a significant increase in the levels of NK cytotoxicity without affecting the levels of ADCC. Repeated injections of poly(A).poly(U) alternated with chemotherapy induced, consistently, exclusive enhancement of NK activity after each injection. These results suggest that the effector cells for NK and ADCC activities are of functionally different cell populations.

A Fast k Nearest Neighbor Finding Algorithm Based on the Ordered Partition

We propose a fast nearest neighbor finding algorithm, named tentatively an ordered partition, based on the ordered lists of the training samples of each projection axis. The ordered partition contains two properties, one is ordering¿to bound the search region, and the other is partitioning¿to reject the unwanted samples without actual distance computations. It is proved that the proposed algorithm can find k nearest neighbors in a constant expected time. Simulations show that the algorithm is rather distribution free, and only 4.6 distance calculations, on the average, were required to find a nearest neighbor among 10 000 samples drawn from a bivariate normal distribution.

Immunosuppression induced by chemicals requiring metabolic activation in mixed cultures of rat hepatocytes and murine splenocytes

Primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes (Fischer 344) were used as an in vitro metabolic activation system in immunotoxicological assays. Rat hepatocytes were isolated by a collagenase perfusion technique and cultured for 20 to 24 hr to allow the formation of a monolayer on collagen-coated plastic petri dishes. Spleen cells isolated from (C57BL/6 X C3H)F1 mice were cocultured with the hepatocytes along with the chemicals. Cyclophosphamide (CP) and Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) were effectively activated in this coculture system and produced a dose-related suppression of the in vitro antibody responses to LPS, DNP-Ficoll, and SRBC in 3 hr. Neither CP (1 mM) nor AFB1 (10(-4) M) cultured with spleen cells alone produced any effects. Both CP and AFB1 also produced a dose-related suppression of the proliferative responses to LPS, Con A, and PHA. In contrast, up to 100 mM of N-nitrosodimethylamine (DMN) did not suppress any of these assays after a 3-hr incubation in the coculture system. These results indicate that a coculture system can be used to characterize the activity of immunosuppressive chemicals requiring metabolic activation.

Trigeminal-palatal synkinesis

A patient developed synkinetic movements of facial musculature and "crocodile tears" following the removal of a large acoustic neurinoma. A reflex palatal movement resulted from tactile stimulation of the lower part of the face as well. Analysis of the palatal movement suggested action of the tensor veli palatini muscle, acting in isolation. We believe the palatal contraction represents a synkinetic phenomenon involving both sensory and motor nerve fibers within the motor root of the trigeminal nerve.

Effect of oral alcohol on left ventricular ejection fraction, volumes, and segmental wall motion in normals and in patients with recent myocardial infarction

A first-pass nuclear angiogram and a multiple-gated acquisition study were obtained in 10 normal physicians and in 10 patients with a 7-to-10 day old transmural myocardial infarction. After the scan the subjects drank 2 oz. of whiskey. After 60 minutes, the multiple-gated acquisition study was repeated. In the normal group the left ventricular ejection fraction was 68% before and 72% after alcohol. The left ventricular end-diastolic volume increased from 89 to 97 ml while the left ventricular end-systolic volume decreased from 29 to 27 ml. The stroke volume rose from 61 to 70 ml/beat (p less than 0.05). The cardiac output increased from 4.0 to 5.0 l/min (p less than 0.05). In the infarction group, the left ventricular ejection fraction was 58% before and 56% after alcohol administration. The left ventricular end-diastolic volume fell from 111 to 96 ml, while the left ventricular end-systolic volume declined from 50 to 44 ml. The stroke volume fell from 61 to 52 ml/beat, while the cardiac output fell from 4.5 to 3.8 l/min. In the left ventricular infarction zones, alcohol produced in 9 of the 10 cardiac patients a decline in the left ventricular regional ejection fraction. In the normal group, alcohol produced no significant changes in the regional ejection fraction. The normal and the postinfarction patients responded differently to alcohol.

Induction of infectious immunodeficiency in BALB/c mice by serial transfer of lymphocytes immune to alloantigens

Serial transfer of spleen cells immune to allogeneic or semi-allogeneic cells induced transferable splenomegaly and general immune deficiencies, including the lack of proliferative responses to T and B cell mitogens and antibody responses to specific antigens. Parallel experiments with spleen cells from mice that had been administered rectally with allogeneic spleen or sperm cells also resulted in a similar immunodeficiency. The immune deficiencies were transferable into normal mice by injection of spleen cells, cellfree extracts, or culture supernatants of spleen cells from immunodeficient mice. The particle responsible for transmission of immunodeficiency appears to be a high m.w. (greater than 2 X 10(6], 1.14 g/ml density agent. These results suggest strongly that serial transfer of lymphocytes immune to alloantigens triggers the release of a transmissible virus-like agent, which results in an immunodeficiency similar to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) of humans. Therefore, this system may provide a valuable animal model system for studying AIDS.

Induction of infectious immunodeficiency in BALB/c mice by serial transfer of lymphocytes immune to alloantigens

Serial transfer of spleen cells immune to allogeneic or semi-allogeneic cells induced transferable splenomegaly and general immune deficiencies, including the lack of proliferative responses to T and B cell mitogens and antibody responses to specific antigens. Parallel experiments with spleen cells from mice that had been administered rectally with allogeneic spleen or sperm cells also resulted in a similar immunodeficiency. The immune deficiencies were transferable into normal mice by injection of spleen cells, cellfree extracts, or culture supernatants of spleen cells from immunodeficient mice. The particle responsible for transmission of immunodeficiency appears to be a high m.w. (greater than 2 X 10(6], 1.14 g/ml density agent. These results suggest strongly that serial transfer of lymphocytes immune to alloantigens triggers the release of a transmissible virus-like agent, which results in an immunodeficiency similar to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) of humans. Therefore, this system may provide a valuable animal model system for studying AIDS.

Effects of phosphorylcholine-lipopolysaccharide conjugates on the induction of anti-idiotype-mediated B-cell tolerance

Preincubation of BALB/c spleen cell cultures for 24 hr with phosphorylcholine (PC)-containing antigen together with antibody against the major idiotype (id) of anti-PC antibody renders them irreversibly unresponsive to subsequent stimulation with the antigen alone. In contrast, cultures preincubated for 24 hr with anti-id antibody, either alone or together with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), resulted in an anti-PC response comparable to that induced in control cultures incubated with mock anti-id antibody. After such a 24-hr preincubation with anti-id antibody and various PC-LPS conjugates possessing intact activity for polyclonal B-cell activation, the anti-PC response was inversely proportional to the epitope (PC) density on the LPS conjugates. In addition, similar preincubation of cultures with a non-mitogenic low dose of PC-LPS in the presence of anti-id antibody induced suppression of the anti-PC response as observed with a specific antigen. These results suggest that specific epitope delivers an additional tolerogenic signal during induction of B-cell suppression by anti-id antibody. This epitope effect cannot be replaced by, and is antagonistic to, the mitogenic signal of LPS in the course of B-cell inactivation.

The Osborn wave in hypothermia

A patient is reported who presented with fatal hypothermia. The electrocardiographic changes of a sinus bradycardia, prolonged QT interval and Osborn waves were documented and correlated with body temperature. The possible genesis of these electrocardiographic changes is reviewed in this article.

Infectious endocarditis caused by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is a very uncommon cause of infectious endocarditis. The organism was first described in 1912. Thjotta and Sydnes reported its isolation in pure culture from a long standing abscess which had developed after tooth extraction. Subsequently this organism was found to be part of the normal flora, and the organism was defined as a slow growing, fastidious gram negative bacillus. Carbon dioxide is essential for the growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans. Approximately 50 cases of endocarditis due to A. actinomycetemcomitans have been reported since the first case reported in 1964. The purpose of this report is to document a case of endocarditis due to A. actinomycetemcomitans and to stress the value of the echocardiogram in the assessment of patients with endocarditis.

The present status of childhood cancer therapy in Korea

We have studied the incidence pattern of childhood cancers in Korea. Although the incidence of many tumors in Korea is similar to that in other countries, the incidence of acute myelogenous leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and hepatoma is greater in Korean children. Yonsei Cancer Center commenced a study of multi-modality treatment of childhood cancers in July 1974. The most striking improvement of survival rate was seen in patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (50% at 5 years), Wilms' tumor (65% at 5 years), neuroblastoma (45% at 2 years), osteogenic sarcoma (55% at 2 years) and malignant histiocytosis (20% at 5 years). This study is an attempt to create a basic framework providing the best possible treatment of childhood cancer in Korea. The data obtained in Korea are briefly compared with those in Japan and the United States.

Value of radionuclide angiogram for the diagnosis of Ebstein's anomaly

A radionuclide angiogram in a patient with Ebstein's anomaly showed a very dilated right atrium with a minimally enlarged right ventricle and a normal sized left ventricle. This study led to the establishment of a definitive diagnosis by means of an echocardiogram. Late close of the tricuspid valve was demonstrated. In addition prolapse of the tricuspid and mitral valves was documented. A tricuspid valve prolapse has never been reported in this condition.

Induction of immunodeficiency in mice by injection with syngeneic splenocytes immune to semi-allogeneic hybrid cells

Intravenous transfer of BALB/c spleen cells (1-10 X 10(6] immunized against semi-allogeneic hybrid cells bearing H-2k antigens into BALB/c mice resulted in splenomegaly (2- to 6-fold). As few as 2 X 10(4) spleen cells could transfer splenomegaly. A significant spleen enlargement was seen from 2 weeks after cell transfer and reached the peak level at 3 weeks. Those mice with splenomegaly displayed markedly reduced levels of proliferative responses to concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide. However, the levels of the major Ig classes (i.e., IgG, IgM, and IgA) in the immunodeficient mice were significantly elevated. Such induction of immunodeficiency in mice may help further to understand the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome of humans.

Tumor-specific immunity induced by somatic hybrids. IV. Relationship between immunogenicity and expression of surface tumor-associated antigens

Semi-allogeneic hybrid clones were derived by fusion of the TEPC-15 plasmacytoma (H-2d) and mouse L cells of C3H (H-2k) origin. Three representative clones were chosen to study the relationship between the expression of different membrane antigens and their immunogenicities leading to protection of recipient mice from the parent TEPC-15 plasmacytoma. The level of surface tumor-specific transplantation antigens (TSTA) was measured by radioimmunoprecipitation with syngeneic anti-TSTA and by inhibition of anti-TSTA binding to the TEPC-15 tumor cells. The most immunogenic hybrid clone (LTC-1) expressed the highest level of TSTA and the weakly immunogenic (LTC-2) and nonimmunogenic (LTC-4) hybrid clones exhibited relatively low levels of TSTA on the surface. Moreover, the strongly immunogenic LTC-1 hybrid cells, but not the parent tumor cells, were effective in priming recipient spleen cells to generate TEPC-15 tumor-specific cytotoxic cells upon subsequent in vitro exposure to the TSTA-bearing cells. Therefore, the level of TSTA on the semi-allogeneic hybrid clones may play an important role in enhancing the immunogenicity of TSTA.

Successful treatment with interferon of chicken pox in children with acute leukemia

Childhood leukemia, especially acute lymphocytic leukemia, can now be completely cured by a multimodality approach in one out of every two patients. Since prolonged maintenance therapy with anti-cancer agents for three years is required for complete cure, a significant problem during this course of treatment is death due to secondary infection. Those with childhood leukemia receiving anti-cancer chemotherapy who became secondarily injected with chicken pox can now be treated successfully with interferon in the four cases reported here. Chicken pox was cured even while one of them was in relapse. Therefore, it can be said that a bright prospect, namely interferon, is on the horizon in the treatment of secondary viral diseases associated with acute leukemia.

Polyvalent epitope inhibits but added with anti-idiotype antibody enhances idiotype suppression

When BALB/c spleen cell cultures were preincubated with polyvalent PC-antigens, regardless of their immunogenicity, cultures became resistant to id suppression induced by subsequent treatment with anti-id antibody and immunogenic PC-antigen. In addition, incubation with both anti-id and any of these antigens assisted the induction of rapid, irreversible B cell tolerance. These results suggest that B cells bearing receptors for an epitope undergo an initial triggering in response to polyvalent epitope regardless of the T dependence and/or immunogenicity of the antigen. An additional signal must then facilitate the differentiation of the partially activated B cells to produce antibody. Therefore, a nonimmunogenic polyvalent epitope-bearing molecule can deliver either an initial triggering signal or a tolerogenic signal, depending on the presence of anti-id antibody, and it is as efficient as a complete immunogen.

Polyvalent epitope inhibits but added with anti-idiotype antibody enhances idiotype suppression

When BALB/c spleen cell cultures were preincubated with polyvalent PC-antigens, regardless of their immunogenicity, cultures became resistant to id suppression induced by subsequent treatment with anti-id antibody and immunogenic PC-antigen. In addition, incubation with both anti-id and any of these antigens assisted the induction of rapid, irreversible B cell tolerance. These results suggest that B cells bearing receptors for an epitope undergo an initial triggering in response to polyvalent epitope regardless of the T dependence and/or immunogenicity of the antigen. An additional signal must then facilitate the differentiation of the partially activated B cells to produce antibody. Therefore, a nonimmunogenic polyvalent epitope-bearing molecule can deliver either an initial triggering signal or a tolerogenic signal, depending on the presence of anti-id antibody, and it is as efficient as a complete immunogen.

Congestive cardiomyopathy and left ventricular thrombus

A left ventricular thrombus was detected by echocardiography in a 54-year-old man with congestive cardiomyopathy. With the use of anticoagulants, the thrombus completely disappeared. Patients with congestive cardiomyopathy who are at high risk for thrombus formation should be screened with two-dimensional echocardiography. If a thrombus is recognized, anticoagulation therapy can then be instituted.

Mechanisms of idiotype suppression. V. Anti-idiotype antibody inhibits early B cell triggering induced by antigen

To investigate the relationship between antigen-mediated B cell commitment and induction of idiotype (id) suppression, anti-id antibody directed against the major id (TEPC-15 idiotype or T15id) of the anti-phosphorylcholine (PC) antibody was added at various time intervals to BALB/c spleen cell cultures stimulated with a T-independent PC antigen, R36a. The suppressive effect of anti-T15id antibody on the anti-PC response was rapidly decreased as addition of the antibody was delayed; when anti-T15id antibody was added 6 hr after the initiation of the cultures, only partial suppression was induced, whereas the addition of anti-id antibody after 24 hr did not result in significant suppression of the anti-PC response when compared with similar cultures treated with mock anti-id antibody. This acquisition of resistance to id suppression was completely inhibited by treatment with either sodium azide or colchicine, as well as at temperatures below 20 degrees C. The induction of resistance to id suppression during the preincubation period was dependent on the presence of an immunogenic level of specific antigen. This antigen-mediated B cell commitment did not appear to require macrophages because preincubation of macrophages with antigen did not affect the sensitivity of the B cells to anti-id antibody. These results support the possibility that anti-id antibody inhibits early B cell triggering, which involves an energy-dependent, epitope-mediated, lateral mobility of antigen receptors possibly followed by repolymerization of microtubules.

Mechanisms of idiotype suppression. V. Anti-idiotype antibody inhibits early B cell triggering induced by antigen

To investigate the relationship between antigen-mediated B cell commitment and induction of idiotype (id) suppression, anti-id antibody directed against the major id (TEPC-15 idiotype or T15id) of the anti-phosphorylcholine (PC) antibody was added at various time intervals to BALB/c spleen cell cultures stimulated with a T-independent PC antigen, R36a. The suppressive effect of anti-T15id antibody on the anti-PC response was rapidly decreased as addition of the antibody was delayed; when anti-T15id antibody was added 6 hr after the initiation of the cultures, only partial suppression was induced, whereas the addition of anti-id antibody after 24 hr did not result in significant suppression of the anti-PC response when compared with similar cultures treated with mock anti-id antibody. This acquisition of resistance to id suppression was completely inhibited by treatment with either sodium azide or colchicine, as well as at temperatures below 20 degrees C. The induction of resistance to id suppression during the preincubation period was dependent on the presence of an immunogenic level of specific antigen. This antigen-mediated B cell commitment did not appear to require macrophages because preincubation of macrophages with antigen did not affect the sensitivity of the B cells to anti-id antibody. These results support the possibility that anti-id antibody inhibits early B cell triggering, which involves an energy-dependent, epitope-mediated, lateral mobility of antigen receptors possibly followed by repolymerization of microtubules.

Induction of T15-specific suppressor T cells in mice with the CBA/N defect by neonatal injection with anti-T15 idiotype antibody

Mice with the CBA/N defect (xid) are unresponsive to phosphorylcholine (PC), To determine whether idiotype-specific suppressor T cells can also be generated in these defective mice, defective (CBA/N X BALB/c)F1 male and nondefective (CBA/N X BALB/c)F1 female or (BALB/c X CBA/N)F1 male mice were neonatally injected with antibodies specific for the major idiotype of anti-PC antibody, i.e., anti-TEPC-15 idiotype (T15id) antibody. Suppressor cell activity was examined by co-culturing spleen cells from neonatally treated F1 mice with spleen cells of normal nondefective F1 mice in the presence of antigen. Spleen cells from defective (CBA/NM X BALB/c)F1 mice treated with anti-T15id antibody demonstrated a level of suppressor activity (greater than 83% suppression) comparable to that of similarly treated nondefective F1 mice. This suppression was specific for the T15id of anti-PC response, and a Lyt-1-2+-bearing T cell population appeared to be responsible for the active suppression. These suppressor T cells recognized T15 but not PC, based on a functional absorption test. These results indicate that the CBA/N defects, including the deficiency in the anti-PC response by B lymphocytes and a possible T cell defect, do not influence the generation of T15id-specific suppressor T cells by neonatal injection with anti-T15id antibody.

Induction of T15-specific suppressor T cells in mice with the CBA/N defect by neonatal injection with anti-T15 idiotype antibody

Mice with the CBA/N defect (xid) are unresponsive to phosphorylcholine (PC), To determine whether idiotype-specific suppressor T cells can also be generated in these defective mice, defective (CBA/N X BALB/c)F1 male and nondefective (CBA/N X BALB/c)F1 female or (BALB/c X CBA/N)F1 male mice were neonatally injected with antibodies specific for the major idiotype of anti-PC antibody, i.e., anti-TEPC-15 idiotype (T15id) antibody. Suppressor cell activity was examined by co-culturing spleen cells from neonatally treated F1 mice with spleen cells of normal nondefective F1 mice in the presence of antigen. Spleen cells from defective (CBA/NM X BALB/c)F1 mice treated with anti-T15id antibody demonstrated a level of suppressor activity (greater than 83% suppression) comparable to that of similarly treated nondefective F1 mice. This suppression was specific for the T15id of anti-PC response, and a Lyt-1-2+-bearing T cell population appeared to be responsible for the active suppression. These suppressor T cells recognized T15 but not PC, based on a functional absorption test. These results indicate that the CBA/N defects, including the deficiency in the anti-PC response by B lymphocytes and a possible T cell defect, do not influence the generation of T15id-specific suppressor T cells by neonatal injection with anti-T15id antibody.

Mechanisms of idiotype suppression. IV. Functional neutralization in mixtures of idiotype-specific suppressor and hapten-specific suppressor T cells

Specific tolerance to phosphorylcholine (PC) can be induced in BALB/c mice by neonatal injection with either pneumococcal C-polysaccharide (PnC) or anti-TEPC 15 idiotype (T15Id) antibody specific for the major idiotype (Id) of anti-PC antibody. Spleen cells from these tolerant mice exhibited T cell-mediated active suppression of anti-PC response when they were co-cultured with normal spleen cells. Suppressor cells from the PnC-injected mice appeared to bear either Lyt-1 or Lyt-2 antigens, whereas suppressor cells from anti-Id-treated mice expressed Lyt-2 antigens. Analyses of the specific receptors of these suppressor T cells, based on either adherence to PC and T15-coated petri dishes or cytolysis by rabbit anti-T15Id and monoclonal IgM anti-PC antibody with complement, revealed that receptors of PnC-induced suppressor T cells recognize PC, whereas receptors of anti-Id-induced suppressor T cells react with the T15Id. The possible interaction of the two different types of suppressor T cells was examined by co-culturing normal spleen cells with mixtures of the different suppressor cell types in various cell ratios in the presence of the T-independent PC-antigen, R36a. A brief incubation of anti-Id-induced, T15Id-specific suppressor T cells with PnC-induced, hapten-specific, and T15Id-bearing suppressor T cells resulted in complete cancellation of their suppressor function. These results suggest that idiotype network regulation may also occur among suppressor T cell population.

Compensation for idiotype suppression. I. Acquirement of ability to compensate for TEPC-15 idiotype suppression in mice during the early neonatal period

Neonatal injection of BALB/c mice with antibodies specific for the idiotype of TEPC-15 myeloma protein (T15id), which is serologically identical to the major idiotype of anti-phosphorylcholine (PC) antibody, renders the recipients completely unresponsive to PC. C57BL/6, (BALB/c X C57BL/6)F1 and C.B20 mice, similarly treated with anti-T15id antibody, also displayed tolerance to PC although they were relatively more resistant (8-13%) than BALB/c mice (less than 2% control response). When anti-T15id antibody was injected into 15-day-old neonates, the resistance to the tolerance in C57BL/6 and C.B20 mice was much more apparent (up to 80% of the control response) in contrast to that in BALB/c mice, which was not significant. Adoptive transfer of spleen cells from idiotypically suppressed BALB/c mice into 20-day-old, normal C. B20 mice resulted in suppression of T15id but not in tolerance to PC, due to increased production of non-T15id-bearing anti-PC antibody. These results suggest that the ability of clonal compensation for T15id suppression is acquired during early life (2-10 days), under the influence of gene(s) associated or linked with the Igh.

Presence of a tumour-inhibiting factor (TIF) in sera from normal but not tumour-bearing mice

Some plasmacytomas produce myeloma proteins with known antibody specificities and the secretion of these proteins by individual tumour cells can be determined using haemolytic plaque assay. After a 3 day culture of mouse plasmacytoma cells in medium containing 10% normal mouse serum, the number of plaques was reduced to less than 10% when compared to that of tumour cells incubated with either foetal calf serum or normal rabbit serum. However, tumour cells incubated with sera from mice bearing TEPC-15, McPC-603, or MOPC-315 plasmacytomas displayed control levels of plaques. The production of plaques paralleled the viability of tumour cells suggesting that the reduction of plaque formation is due to the decreased viable cell number. The tumour-inhibiting activity was recovered from the fraction of apparent molecular weight of 300,000-400,000 after a partial purification using an agarose (A 0.5 M) column. This fraction, however, did not suppress in vitro induction of antibody production. Kinetic experiments using sera obtained sequentially from individual mice receiving either TEPC-15 or MOPC-315 plasmacytomas further indicated that the tumour-inhibiting activity is severely reduced during a 2 week period after tumour inoculation. The inhibition of tumour cells did not appear to be specific since tumour cells of three plasmacytomas (TEPC-15, MOPC-167 and MOPC-315), a mastocytoma (P815) and a lymphoma (EL-4) displayed a similar susceptibility to normal serum.

The lack of compensatory increases of cells producing anti-phosphorylcholine antibodies bearing other idiotypes in TEPC-15 idiotype-suppressed inbred and outbred mice

Idiotype analyses of plaque-forming cells using anti-idiotype antibody against TEPC-15 myeloma protein (anti-T 15 id) indicated that the proportion of plaque-forming cells producing anti-phosphorylcholine (PC) antibodies with idiotypic determinants of T15 id varied depending on the strain of mice (15-97%). However, treatment of neonates of those mouse strains with the anti-T 15 id antibody rendered them unresponsive to subsequent stimulation with PC-containing antigen (less than 7% of control response). The treatment of spleen cell cultures, derived from adult mice, with anti-T 15 id antibody resulted in complete suppression of T 15 id, although the suppression of the total anti-PC response was much less pronounced as compared to that induced in vivo. These results suggest that anti-T 15 id antibodies injected in the neonatal period may chronically inhibit the differentiation of B lymphocytes specific for PC. The lack of compensatory increases in the production of anti-PC antibodies bearing other idiotypes in T 15 id-suppressed mice does not appear to be related to the clonal proportion of cells producing anti-PC with non-T 15 id. This tolerance induction by anti-idiotype antibody appears to be unique to the nature of clonal differentiation of anti-PC-producing lymphocytes.

Tumor-specific immunity induced by somatic hybrids. I. Lack of relationship between immunogenicity and tumorigenicity of selected hybrids

Hybrid clones were derived from fusion of TEPC-15 plasmacytoma cells of BALB/c mice with mouse L cells of C3H origin. The morphology, tumorigenicity, and immunogenicity of three representative clones were extensively studied. One clone (LTC-1) showed a morphology intermediate to that of either parental cell and possessed the highest tumorigenic and immunogenic properties. The other two clones displayed a "flat" morphology which differed significantly from that of either parent. One of these two, LTC-4, eventually induced tumors in some (BALB/c X C3H)F1 mice but failed to stimulate protective immunity against TEPC-15 tumor cells in BALB/c mice. The other hybrid clone, LTC-2, has a "very flat" morphology and did not induce tumors, although it was capable of stimulating a significant level of tumor immunity. Histologically, all the tumors induced by hybrid cells were fibrosarcomas rather than plasmacytomas. These results indicate that the morphology of hybrid cells may be correlated with the tumorigenicity as well as the histologic appearance of tumor. In addition, the degree of tumorigenicity of individual hybrid clones does not correspond to their immunogenicity in the host, suggesting that major antigens responsible for immunogenicity may not play an important role in induction of tumors.

Tumor-specific immunity induced by somatic hybrids. II. Elicitation of enhanced immunity against the parent plasmacytoma

Hybrid cells derived from fusion of a BALB/c plasmacytoma (TEPC-15) and L cells (C3H origin) were used to stimulate tumor-specific immunity against the parental plasmacytoma cells. Live hybrid cells induced tumor-specific immunity against TEPC-15 more effectively than mitomycin-treated hybrid or TEPC-15 tumor cells. Adoptive transfer of immunity with spleen cells of mice immunized with hybrid cells was also more effective than that with mitomycin-treated tumor cells. The immunity induced by the hybrid cells was specific to the TEPC-15 tumor because the mice that received immune spleen cells were not protected against challenge with either HOPC-8 or McPC-603 plasmacytomas. T cell populations were primarily responsible for the transfer of specific immunity based on the sensitivity of immune cells to anti-Thy 1.2 and complement. Mice that had established solid tumors were treated with 5 x 10(7) spleen cells to evaluate the therapeutic value of the hybrid-induced immune cells. Tumors in the mice that received immune cells gradually regressed over a 40-day period, whereas tumors on the control mice continued to grow. These results suggest that a rearrangement of tumor-specific antigens on allogeneic hybrid cells can enhance their immunogenicity.

Mechanisms of idiotype suppression. I. In vitro generation of idiotype-specific suppressor T cells by anti-idiotype antibodies and specific antigen

Normal BALB/c spleen cells are unresponsive in vitro to the phosphorylcholine (PC) determinant in the presence of anti-idiotype antibodies specific for the TEPC-15 myeloma protein (T15) which carries an idiotypic determinant indistinguishable from that of most anti-PC antibodies in BALB/c mice. The possibility that idiotype-specific suppressor cells may be generated during the culture period was examined by coculturing the cells with untreated syngeneic spleen cells. Cells that had been preincubated with anti-T15 idiotype (anti-T15id) antibodies and a PC-containing antigen, R36a for 3 d, were capable of specifically suppressing the anti-PC response of fresh normal spleen cells, indicating that idiotype-specific suppressor cells were generated during the culture period. The presence of specific antigen also appeared to be necessary because anti-T15id antibodies and a control antigen, DNP-Lys-Ficoll, were not capable of generating such suppressor cells. Suppressor cells were induced only in the population of spleen cells nonadherent to nylon wool and the suppressive activity was abrogated by treatment with anti-Thy 1.2 serum and complement. These results indicate that anti-idiotype antibodies and specific antigen can generate idiotype-specific suppressor T cells in vitro. These in vitro results may reflect in vivo mechanisms of idiotype suppression.

Physiologic saline solution, Normosol R pH 7.4, and Plasmanate as reconstituents of packed human erythrocytes

The authors compared the effects of three reconstituent solutions (Normosol R pH 7.4, physiologic saline solution, and Plasmanate) on hemolysis and cellular morphology of young (8-10 days' storage) and old (22-26 days' storage) packed human erythrocytes (PE). These variables were tested at 22 and 37 C and at two dilutions )1 part PE:1 part reconstituent and 2 parts PE:1 part reconstituent). Plasmanate produced unacceptably high levels of hemolysis, particularly of older PE, and should not be used as a reconstituent. Normosol R pH 7.4 and physiologic saline solution were compatible with both young and old PE, producing similar changes in hemolysis and erythrocytic morphology, Therefore, Normosol R pH 7.4 may be used as a diluent for PE when rapid and massive infusions are needed.

Suppressor T cells: presence in mice rendered tolerant by neonatal treatment with anti-receptor antibody or antigen

Specific tolerance to phosphorylcholine (PC) was induced in BALB/c mice by two methods. Neonatal mice received a single injection of either: 1)PnC, the C-polysaccharide from S. pneumoniae, R36a vaccine which has PC as a major antigenic determinant or 2) ARA, an homologous antibody directed against the receptor for PC. Spleen cells from animals treated as neonates with either PnC or ARA were specifically suppressed for the response to PC antigens in vitro. In addition, cells from either group of unresponsive animals co-cultured with spleen cells of normal BALB/c mice markedly suppressed the response of the normal cells to PC. Greater than 90% inhibition of the plaque-forming cell response was obtained when unresponsive cells were mixed with normal cells in ratios of 1:1 or greater. Equal numbers of cells from animals made unresponsive by PnC or ARA produced an equivalent degree of suppression. Neither supernatants of cultures nor sera of animals of either unresponsive group suppressed the response of normal spleen cells to PC. Suppression by cells from both groups of tolerant mice was eliminated by treatment with anti-Thy 1.2 serum and C. Presumably, a common cell is responsible for suppression caused by cells from mice made unresponsive by either procedure.

Antibody against the antigen receptor of a plasmacytoma prolongs survival of mice bearing the tumor

A transplantable plasmacytoma, TEPC-15 in BALB/c mice, induces a transient antibody response directed against the combining region of the myeloma protein produced by the tumor. Mice immunized with mitomycin-treated tumor cells produce similar antibody but do not develop tumor; mice so immunized survive longer than untreated mice when inoculated with viable TEPC-15 cells. This protection afforded by immunization can be transferred by serum alone; the protective effect of passively given serum is eliminated by absorbing out antibody directed against the myeloma protein.

Effect of VHa locus allotype-suppression on the expression of closely linked VHx, VHy, and Cmun genes in heterozygous rabbits

Injection of a1x-y-n81/a2x32y33n82 heterozygous rabbit at birth with anti-a2 allotype antiserum suppresses the production of the VHa2 gene product a2 Ig as well as the expression of the closely linked Cmun gene product n82 but not of the closely linked VHx and VHy gene products x32 and x33. This effect is related to the appearance of a2 and n82 on the same IgM molecules whereas a2, x32, and y33 appear on different Ig molecules.

Fibroepithelial polyp of the vagina. A report of five cases

Fibroepithelial polyp of the vagina is a rare lesion. Although benign, it can be confused with malignant connective tissue lesions because of its bizarre histology. Treatment is simple local excision. Recurrence is extremely uncommon. Five cases are reported.